I feel passionate about the necessity of applying an all-embracing approach to self-care for counsellors, psychotherapists, supervisors, coaches and all those in the helping professions. This view of self-care acknowledges that fatigue is a multi-faceted concern, necessitating an equally comprehensive approach to prevention.

Standard recommendations for self-care for those in the helping professions are supervision and engaging in our own therapy, yet the literature on thriving therapists shows these are necessary but not sufficient means to ensure buoyancy in our line of work. Factors such as being pro-active in self-care, balance, diversity, having robust personalities, empathy to self and focusing on the transcendent nature of therapy and work prove to be far more essential components in maintaining well-being. Ken Wilber's comprehensive model informs my approach to promoting thriving and well-being in counsellors, therapists, supervisors and coaches.

Conference Papers

Baruch, V., (2006) “New, Flexible, Modular Tools for Designing a Self-Care Programme” at 'Landscape' Conference 28 April, 2006, Tabor College, Adelaide for SCAPE (Society of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators).

Baruch, V., (2004), "Self-Care Methods to Promote Thriving in Professional Therapists" at 'ExperienceSCAPE' Conference 23-25 April 2004, Dunmore Lang College Macquarie University.

Refereed Conference Paper Proceedings

Baruch, V., (2006) “New, Flexible, Modular Tools for Designing a Self-Care Programme” at 'Landscape' Conference 28 April, 2006, Tabor College, Adelaide for SCAPE (Society of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators). (in process)

Baruch, V., (2003) "Counsellor Well-Functioning and Self-Care Methods" at 'Celebrating Counselling' Conference 26 November, 2003, Parramatta Campus University of Western Sydney.

Seminars and Workshops

March, 2009 Australian College of Applied Psychology, "Self-Care for Busy People".

August, 2007 Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), "Designing a Personalised, Comprehensive Self-Care Programme".

Co-facilitator of monthly Integral Life Practice meetings.

November, 2005 Counsellors and Psychotherapists Association of NSW (CAPA), “Self-Care for Counsellors” professional development (invited presentation).

Refereed Publications

Baruch, V., (2008), ‘Promoting Thriving for Therapists:An Integral Perspective’, Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, Vol 3, Number 4, pp 103-124. PromotingThrivingForTherapists.pdf

Baruch, V., (2004), ‘Self-Care for Therapists: Prevention of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout’ in Psychotherapy in Australia, Volume 10, Number 4, pp. 64-68. PsychotherapyInAustralia.pdf

Baruch, V., (2004), ‘A Therapist’s Journey Towards Integration’ in A Reader in Emotionally Focused Work, IEFT, Annandale, 1st Edition.

Baruch, V., (2004) ‘A Case Study’ in A Reader in Emotionally Focused Work, IEFT, Annandale, 1st Edition.